A Viking Legend: The Power of Love
By Ainsley Bloomer Background, Contents & Introduction Appendix and Genealogical Chart First and Last Pages of Annotated Index, Sources Page The Ramsund carving in Södermanland, Sweden, dated to the 11th-century CE. A diagram of the carvings, created by anonymous, published 22 February 2021. (https://www.ancient.eu/image/13465/the-ramsund-runestone/) (https://www.ancient.eu/image/13465/the-ramsund-runestone/)
1. Sigurd sitting naked in front of the fire preparing the heart of the dragon Fafnir for his foster-father Regin, who is Fafnir’s brother. When Sigurd touches it, he burns himself and sticks his finger into his mouth. As he has tasted dragon blood, he starts to understand the birds’ song. 2. The birds saying that Regin will try to kill Sigurd, which causes Sigurd to cut off Regin’s head. 3. Regin lying dead beside his own head, his smithing tools with which he reforged Sigurd’s sword Gram scattered around him. 4. Sigurd’s horse Grani laden with the dragon’s treasure. 5. Sigurd’s previous killing of Fafnir. 6. Regin’s and Fafnir’s brother Ótr 1 5 Sigurd Portal Door (www.pitt.edu/~dash/sigurddoor.html)
1. Gunnar in the snake pit playing 2 the harp with his toes 2. Sigurd killing Regin 3. Sigurd’s horse Grani holding the 6 chest of treasures, also shows the birds that spoke to Sigurd. 4. Sigurd roasting the dragon heart, searing his finger and putting it in his mouth to heal when juices from the dragon heart permit him to understand the speech of the birds 3 4 Sigurd 7 5. Killing of Fafnir 6. The testing of the sword Gram Portal 7. The making of the sword Door Gunnar playing a harp with his toes while in the snake pit Sigurd killing Regin Sigurd understands the words of the birds Sigurd roasts the dragon heart The killing of Regin by Sigurd – loading of treasure unto Grani – places his thumb in mouth The testing of the sword Regin making the sword